Abstract: A cell selecting apparatus which has an extracting and injection section, a tray transport section, a cultivating section, a cell selecting section, and a controller for controlling each section according to the operating conditions which are inputted therein. This arrangement makes it possible to select and isolate the desired cells or microorganisms from mixtures of different types of cells or microorganisms, for example, those which are capable of proliferating over short periods of time and producing antibodies or secretions, from a liquid culture of cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for determining the utilization factor [U] in a photochemical mercury enrichment process (.sup.196 Hg) by measuring relative .sup.196 Hg densities using absorption spectroscopy.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for in vitro bleeding time determination. Blood is placed in a tube having a window covered with a clot promoting material having a slit. The time required before blood stops flowing through the slit is recorded, and is the bleeding time. It is preferred that the clot-promoting material be nylon fabric impregnated with collagen and blood clot promoting proteins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for flow-injection analysis having a reaction loop, one or more pumps, an injection valve, one or more detectors and an evaluating device.

Abstract: A method for maintaining hydration of the contents of water-impermeable packages containing items to be sterilized includes placing a moisture-releasing humidifying device into the package with the items to be sterilized, hermetically sealing the package, and releasing moisture from the moisture-releasing humidifying device into the package before the package is exposed to the gaseous sterilant. The moisture-releasing humidifying device includes an absorbent material and a cover about the absorbent material. The cover is made at least partially of a hydrophobic and vapor-permeable material such that moisture absorbed by the absorbent material passes through the vapor-permeable material to effect humidification within the package.

Abstract: In order to improve a one-way measuring element, which may be inserted into an analyzer for analyzing gaseous or liquid samples and which comprises a measuring channel with a measuring zone and one or more sensors located therein, the proposal is put forward that the one-way measuring element be provided with a sensor part whose measuring channel has seals on both ends, and with a sample-taking part, and that a coupling element be placed at the inlet end of the measuring channel for direct coupling of the sample-taking part containing the gaseous or liquid sample, and that the measuring channel be filled with a calibrating and storage medium prior to the measuring process, and that the calibrating and storage medium contained in the measuring channel be displaced by the sample flowing in after the sample-taking part has been coupled to the sensor part. The one-way measuring elements obtained in this way are characterized by great simplicity of design and ease of handling.

Abstract: Optical indicator chalcogen (selenide or sulfide) compounds responsive to oxidants, e.g., hydrogen peroxide, and a method for using such indicators. Upon oxidation the resulting intermediate undergoes spontaneous elimination of the chalcogen residue to yield a signal compound which provides an optical signal such as fluorescence. Preferred fluorogenic indicator compounds are 3-chalcogen-3,4-dihydrocoumarin derivatives and 3-chalcogen-3,4-dihydro-2-quinolone derivatives. Such indicator compounds provide highly fluorescent products upon oxidation by hydrogen peroxide and are useful in analytical systems which generate hydrogen peroxide in response to the analyte under determination.

Abstract: A sample applicator for use in performing immunoassays comprises a tube defining an internal lumen and having a filter matrix at one end thereof. Sample is drawn into the applicator tube, either using a vacuum bulb or an automated assay device. The sample is filtered as it enters the tube, and is again filtered as it discharged from the tube in the opposite flow direction. By removing particulates from the liquid sample, assay performance can be greatly improved. The applicator may also comprise a reagent dispersed within a permeable matrix, which is useful for introducing reagent to a sample or other liquid assay component. As a liquid assay component is drawn into the applicator tube, the reagent is reconstituted by and mixed with the liquid, thereby reducing the number of steps required for the assay.

Abstract: A method for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing hemodialysis apparatus consisting in mixing a basic composition comprising the chlorite ion with an acid composition comprising lactic acid in a ratio of the acid composition to the basic composition ranging from 1:2 to 4:4, feeding the mixture thus obtained and admixed with water into the hemodialysis apparatus, the ratio of the mixture to water being of about 1:34 and circulating the final solution in the apparatus wherein the mixture is diluted in water and the basic composition is reacted with the acid composition.

Abstract: A long-test-film cassette for biochemical analysis comprises an unused film cassette part accommodating an unused long test film for biochemical analysis, and a used film cassette part for accommodating the long test film which has been pulled out of the unused film cassette part and used for biochemical analysis. A leading edge of the film is secured to a reel in the used film cassette part. In a cassette loading system, the unused film cassette part is provided with a protruded test film outlet portion and is loaded to a refrigerating compartment of an analysis apparatus with the test film outlet portion fitted in a hole of the refrigerating compartment.

Abstract: A reagent cartridge for use in an automated clinical analyzer, the reagent cartridge including a plurality of storage compartments each including wall members. The reagent cartridge includes connecting members formed integrally with the storage compartments for holding the storage compartments in a fixed relationship with respect to each other and separating the wall members from each other to thus prevent reagent migration between adjacent reagent compartments. Each of the storage compartments includes an access opening and a neck formed about the opening, the neck including a collar that is spaced a predetermined distance from a bottom wall of the associated storage compartment, the predetermined distance adapted to accommodate an automatically controlled reagent transfer probe.

Abstract: The slide analysis system includes a slide holding module spaced from an incubator module. A slide transfer device or pick and place mechanism withdraws slides from the slide holding module and inserts them into the incubator module. A metering device deposits serum onto a slide that is held in a spotting position by the slide transfer device. The metering device is movable to a sampling position in the slide holding module to aspirate serum from a serum source on the slide cartridge in the slide holding module and is also movable to a spotting position to spot serum on the slide held by the slide transfer device. The slide transfer device has rotational as well as transverse movement and includes jaws for gripping onto the sides of slides to withdraw a single slide from a cartridge, transport it to the incubator, insert the slide in the incubator and thereafter remove it from the incubator.

Abstract: A chemical monitor system is disclosed that controls a multiplexable valve array 90 to route a fluid sample from any of plural fluid sample sources 20-38 to any of plural monitors 142-160 which will produce the most valuable chemistry measurement for diagnosing any existing or suspected malfunction. Fluid regulators 170-188 keep the flow rate constant regardless of the number of monitors 142-160 connected to a particular source. A computer 200 configures the array 90 based on the usefulness of sample analysis to a disgnostic system.

Abstract: An analysis system of the concurrent type has a multicuvette unit supply station, a loading station, an analysis station, and transport mechanism for transporting cuvette units in correlated orientation between the several stations. Each cuvette unit includes mechanical interlock structure that cooperates with orientation structure at each of the several stations and with orientation structure carried by the transport mechanism so that continuity of cuvette orientation information is maintained throughout loading and concurrent analysis of the several samples in the cuvette unit.

Abstract: A drug testing urine sample collector includes a multiple tamper-proof system to make sure that freshly voided samples of urine are not replaced or adulterated. A chemical type thermometer is located in the reservoir to make sure that the urine sample is fresh when collected. A specific gravity sensitive ball valve restricts entry of a diluted urine sample into the reservoir. The cap for the reservoir also acts as a base for the collector and includes sample adulteration detection reagents. The collector structure prevents the sample from being emptied from the reservoir.

Abstract: A kit for determination of subsets of leukocytes utilizing flow cytometry analysis techniques.

Abstract: A chemical analyzer providing an analysis slide positioning apparatus and method for properly aligning a test slide relative to a sample dispenser of the chemical analyzer. The slide positioning apparatus is capable of moving the slide in three different planes of movement for effecting alignment of the slide and to control fluid application thereto. The positioning apparatus includes a platform which supports the slide, a mechanism for moving the slide on the support in a first direction, and a drive mechanism for moving the platform and the slide carried thereon in second and third directions extending perpendicular to each other and to the first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided in combination with an instrument for determining the concentration of a medically significant component of a biologically fluid. The apparatus includes an integrated circuit carrier and a socket for removably longitudinally receiving the integrated circuit carrier. The socket includes a first set of electrical contacts and the integrated circuit carrier includes a second set of electrical contacts positioned and arranged so as to be electrically contacted by respective contacts of the first set of electrical contacts. One of the integrated circuit carrier and socket includes upstanding first wall portions extending generally along the longitudinal length of one of the integrated circuit carrier and socket and lying generally between adjacent electrical contacts of the first set.

Abstract: A sterilizing device which is specifically adaptable for use with tonometer tips of the removable type comprises a container for a disinfectant solution and has with an upper edge in surrounding relation to an opening into the interior thereof. A lid is disposed on the upper edge of the container with a plurality of spaced tip-supporting openings which releasably support one of the tonometer tips for downward extension from the lid into the solution in the container.

Abstract: A magnetic field separation system includes a magnet unit having first and second pole members forming a linear gap with a relatively high magnetic field density therebetween. A flow chamber comprised of first and second optically transparent slides mounted so as to define a generally planar fluid pathway therebetween, passes a biological fluid over the linear gap at an angle, with flow through the pathway being accomplished by gravity and capillary action. Biological fluid, when sensitized to magnetic reaction, passes through the fluid pathway, thereby resulting in perceivable separation of the sensitized particles.